Inhaler



M y 1956 o. J. DUFRE'SNE INHALER Original Filed Nov. 4, 1949 INVENTOR Olz'z/er J. Dufresna BY W m.

ATTORNEY United States Patent INHALER Oliver J. Dufresne, St; Paul,'Minn.

Continuation of application SerialNo. 125,434, November 4, 1949. This application June'15, 1953, Serial No. 361,551

My invention relates to an improvement in inhaler wherein it is desired to provide a simple construction which may be made at low cost and which is extremely efficient in operation.

in my previously filed application, Serial No. 89,929, filed April 27, 1949, now Patent No. 2,598,365, granted May 27, 1952, I described a cylindrical inhaler having a branched end designed to engage in both nostrilssimultanecusly. A screw cap was threaded on the end of the tubular receptacle and a valve device was provided internally of the body for simultaneously closing the passages through the branched end of the structure when the screw cap was in closed position.

it is an object of the present invention to provide a device capable of accomplishing somewhat the same purposes as described in my previous application, but to disclose a structure which is somewhat less costly to manufacture. As a result my device may be produced at low cost and may be sold inexpensively.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a medicine compartment in which may be enclosed a volatile or odorless medicine, orsimilar material, which may be inhaled. The container for this material is closed with the exception of openings near opposite ends of the container One opening at one end of the container is arranged to be closed by the portion ofthe device designed for engagement into the nostrils. The other of the openings at the other end of the enclosure is likewise designed to be closed by a portion of the body of the device designed for engagement in the nostrils. By moving the medicine compartment, which isan inner receptacle, relative to the body of the apparatus, both of the openings described may be simultaneously opened or closed.

A feature of the present invention lies in 'the provision of an inhaler comprising two relatively telescoping elements which may preferably move between two specified extreme positions. In one of these relative positions of the two telescoping members, the medicine compartment comprising one of the telescoping elements may be entirely sealed. In another relative position of the two elements, both ends of the medicine compartment are opened. Asa resultair may be drawn through the medicine compartment to carry the odor or fumes of the contained medicine.

A feature of the present invention lies in the simplicity with which the present device may be formed. The main body of the apparatus is in three parts, two of which are secured together to .form the medicine compartment. The medicine compartment comprises a hollow body having an open end which is closed by a suitable cap. The cap is preferably permanently anchored to the body of the chamber and-serves as a means of moving the chamber relative to the portion of the apparatus designed to engage in one or more of the nostrils.

A feature of the present invention lies in the fact that a valve is provided on the body of the device designed to engage'in one or more of the nostrils. This valve is designed to extend intoor accommodate an opening in the medicine chamber. In one relative position of the'twoparts, the opening is closed by the valve while in another position thereof, the opening remains open.

-One of"thefea'tures of this invention lies in the par ticular shape of the inhaler. The body is of relatively large cross-sectional area, to accommodate a substantial quantity of medicament. The outer surface of the bodytapers inwardly so that the nostril portions are spaced properly to extend into the nostrils of the user. Thespace between-the nostril engaging portions is such as to permit the projecting portions to fit into any nose. By tapering the other sides of these portions, theportions'may be inserted to the proper extent to snugly fit any nostrilopening.

The present application is a continuation of my previously filed application, Serial No. 125,434, filed November '4, 1949, and now abandoned.

These and other objects and novel features of my invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in'thc following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of my specification:

Figure l is'a perspective view of my inhaler showing the construction thereof with the cap removed.

"Figure 2 is a sectional view of the apparatus with the cap'in place, but with the medicine chamber in open position.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view through the apparatus, the position of the section being indicated by the line 33 of Figure 2.

The inhaler A includes two relatively slidabl'e elements indicated in general by the numerals i0 and 11. A cap which is indicated in general 'by'the numeral 12 preferably frictionally engages an end of the part 11 and acts to enclose a portion of this part 11. The cap 12 isdesirable as it acts as a protection for the nostril engaging end of the device and keeps this portion of the device clean. However, the cap 12 may be omitted if desired.

The part 10of' the device comprises a medicine chamber forming an inner receptacle which is designed to enclose a suitable medicine or similar material which is to be inhaled. In preferred form, the container it? is partially filled with an absorbent body which has been impregnated with the medicine. The absorbent "body is'not shown'in the drawings as it may be of any suitable size or shape, andthe absorbent body is preferably sealed within the member '10.

The part 10 is shown as having a longitudinal wail 13 which may be oval in cross section as illustrated, or may be of other suitable cross sectional shape. The closure wail l4 acts to close the major portion of one end of the wall 23. The closure wall 14 is provided with a frusto-conical indentation 1 16 therethrough. v

A cap 17 is provided to close the other end of the compartment 1%). The cap 17 includes a flat end with 19 and an encircling skirt orfiange 20 of proper shape and size to frictionally engage the open end of the wall 13. The cap '17 is usually cemented or otherwise amxed to the end of the wall 13 so as to form a permanent closure for this end of the device. The skirt or flange 20 is preferably of substantial thickness so as to project beyond the walls of the relatively slidable pa ii in It the manner andvfor the reason which will be later set forth.

The part 11 -of the device is usually provided with abifurcated end designed to engage 'in the nostrils. part 11 includes a sleeve 21 as a relatively larger base portion of proper size to snugly fit about the container Lu having an opening The pair of rounded relatively small sleeves 22 and 23 having rounded extremities 24 and 25 project from the wall or sleeve 21. These sleeves 22 and 23 are hollow pro jectionsextending in substantially. parallel relation from hollow oval part ll and spaced apart in the direction of the major, axis of oval part 1 1 and with opposed inner 'surfaces tapering slightly apart and outer surfaces taper ing to a greater degree to provide-extremities 24 and V '25 terminating in'apertures 26 and 27 respectively, which 7 extremities are spaced properly to enter the nostrils.

'win 13and to slide longitudinally relative thereto. A

The sleeves are hollow and the rounded ends 24 and I are spaced .and a partition wall 29 is provided between these projecting sleeves; The partition wall29 is pro vided with a central tapered projecting plug Catiof proper 'shape and size to fit into the frusto-conical indentation and the frusto-conical wall acts as a tapered valve The conical projection 30 acts as a, tapered valve seat. When the projection 30 is against the wall 15, the

I passage 16 is closed by the valve plug 30.

'A pair. or a series of opposed pockets 31' areprovided in the outer surface of the wall 13in spaced relation to .the upper end of the cap flange 20. 'The inner surface of the telescoping wall 21 is provided with wedge shaped projections 32 which extend into the pockets 31. The projections 32 are tapered so as to slide over the wall 13 as the two parts aretelescoped together, the

member 21 being formed of a plastic material which is sufficiently resilient to flex or expand to thenecessary degree; The'butt ends of theprojections 32 engage 1 against a wall of their-corresponding pocketsv to resist outward separation between the parts 10 and 11. Since the pockets .31 are of proper dimensions to permit a limited longitudinal movement of the projections therein,' the parts 10 and 11 can move telescopically through a fixed distance.

Apertures 33' are provided through the wall 13 near the cap flange 20. These apertures are closed by the wall or sleeve 21 'in one extreme position of the telescoping. parts. The apertures are opened. in the other extreme position of these parts. The parts, 10 and 11 may be pulled completely apart if desired, but the engagement of the projections 32 in the pockets 31 definitely.

resists complete separation.

The pockets 31 are proportioned so that when the sleeve '21 is in. closed position as shown in Figure 3 and is abutting the flange of the cap, the plug 30 is in the apertures 33 through the wall;13 are also closed.

, However, by .pulling the parts 10 and 11-.apart a short distance, the'plug 30 is withdrawn from sealing position thereof are provided with apertures 2 6 and 27 'respectively which form a communication between the outside the inside of these sleeves. As shown in Figures land 3 of the drawings, the sleeves 22 and.23

and air may be drawn into the. interiorof the compart ment 10 through the inlet openings 33 and may be'dr'awn into the sleeves 22 and 23 through the outlet port 16. e

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of constructionand operation of I my inhalerqand while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I'desire to have it under-v stood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from' the spirit of my invention. f

I claim: 1. An inhaler bracing the tubular wall of said first part and slidably engaged thereupon, said other part merging into a pair of spaced nostril engaging sleeves each having a passage therethrough, the telescoped end of said first part having an indentation therein, and an opening therethrough, at the end of said indentationa partitionwall connecting between said sleeves at theends thereof. remote from their nostril engaging'portions, said partition wall carrying a valve portion engageablef into said indentation to closesaid opening'inone slidable position thereof, the

tubular container, wall having an opening therethrough enclosable by saidembracing Wall, slidable movement of said other part into one position serving to open both i of said openings and to close both openings when moved I taper ofthe inner surfaces.

; closed position to close the aperture 16. At'this time against the .wall 15 surrounding the aperture '161and the.

r edge of the wall 21 is moved beyond theiapertures 33,

' allowing these apertures to open.

The cap 12 is shaped to fit over the sleeves 22-and 23 so" as to protect these sleeves from dust or dirt. The

cap. 12 includes a rounded closed-end 34 which blends into an encircling flange or wall 35iayhich fits the shape or contour of the outer sides of the sleeves 22 and 23.

Thus the cap 12 frictionally engages in place and may berernoved when thedevice is ito be used. g It is obvious thatwhen the elements are in the contracted position shown in Figure 3, air is not allowed .to either leave or enter the interior ofthe chamber 10, thereby preserving the medicant contained therein. When the two parts are moved longitudinally into the open position shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, the rounded ends of the. sleeves 22 may be inserted into the nostrils into, an opposite position.- 7 I 2. An inhaler including a hollow body designed ;to contain a medicament, a pair of spaced hollow projections extending from said body in substantially'parallel relation, said projections being spaced a distance proper to permit insertion into the spaced nost1ils,the 'outer surfaces of said projections tapering inwardly throughout 5. An inhaler including-a hollow body of generally oval shape having a pair of projections extending in substantially parallel spaced relation therefrom' spaced apart in the direction of the major axis of the oval, saidprojections having a slightly tapering inner opposed sur-. faces and outer surfaces tapering inwardly throughout their length to a greater degree, the projections termi- I nating in end apertured rounded extremities;

6. The structuredescribed iii-claim 5 and including an inner receptacle in telescoping relation to the hollow body and having an aperture therein communicating with 4 the interior of said projections. 7. The structure described in claim 6 a valve projection between saidYspaced projections engageable. into said aperture in said inner receptacle.

Referen c es Cited in the file of patent UNITED STATES VPATENVTS 2,421,177 r 2,598,365' Dufresne Q. May 27,1952

7 FOREIGN PATENTS v 4,746' Great Britain: or sss.

including tworelatively telescoping parts comprising a hollow tubular container having end walls *thereupon, the other of said parts having a Wall 'em- I in clairn= 2 and including i a valve member between said spaced projections and and including 

